Hardware switching of Hard drives.

[jojo]

Everyone knows that everything on PCs is designed to be software controlled but a rather unpleasant experience with Linux recently has reminded me of the value of the old fashioned hardware switch. 

Now I have been directed to an old article in Elector which featured a hardware switch for SATA HDs.

One thing is worrying me though. The article is rather old. Now I'm sure I've seen HDs on laptops and even some PCs where the power is supplied by the SATA cable itself, rather than a separate power cable.

If this is so, will simply disconnecting the power cable be enough to isolate a SATA drive.

Bit technical I know, but hoping one of the members here, still involved with PC manufacturer and repair might have an answer.

My machine is quite old, which may be a plus for me. But I am reluctant to post the circuit here if it will be unsuitable for one of those new fangled modern PCs!

[vikingken]

You need a power supply to a 3.5" SATA drive Jojo. Although a 2.5" only has one cable, there is a data connection and a power connection inside the connector itself. If you have a converter for SATA to USB, if you plug it into an old USB it might not work. USB2 and 3, provide more amps and will run the drive. A SATA to USB converter will only fit a 2.5" drive, it wont fit a 3.5" drive. You cant run a bus with a mini engine. Yes, disconnecting the power cable to a 3.5" SATA drive should isolate it. I wouldn't say disconnecting only one cable is a good thing though and it only takes a few seconds to disconnect both.

[jojo]

Thank you ken. That is more or less what I suspected. But I do thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. There used to be a joke in Building, about the wireless socket, often backed by a photograph of a 13A twin, on a patress, with a RC aerial attached to the top. Recent developments have created a 'wireless' charger, albeit, limited range. It does demonstrate the stupidity of assuming old notions will necessarily apply!! It's good to know people with an up to date knowledge.

Though it may take only a few secs to remove a plug from a HD which cost £100+, as you know these things are not designed to be continually plugged and unplugged. The connectors tend to quickly work loose. Not to mention, fiddling around, in the guts of a computer, avoiding other bits, none of which are designed from continual access either.

The option of making it USB is equally unacceptable. As things stand, I have enough problem finding my glasses in the morning. I have a decent case and prefer things to be there.

So, while software such as viruses, malware and Linux continue to be produced, it seems the only workable solution is hardware.

I need to do a bit more work on the switching circuit yet, as originally designed, it was clearly intended for a different era. One of the ports, for example, switches off the ADSL modem!

Once it's done I'll post it.

Thank you again.